Update on all the things: surgery, rain, and the writing conference

Good morning! 

Yes, I am a little late posting today but I didn't sleep all that well until about 1:30am. Busy brain problems, mostly fueled by a busy brain day and the residual stress about G's surgery. Which, by the way, seemingly went fine-- he goes for the post-op check up on Thursday. Please, keep him (and us) in your good thoughts and prayers that finally he is on the road to healing. 

That said, yesterday's writing conference day was pretty good. The morning session was interesting, and the people in my break-out workshop that meets every afternoon are nice. I miss my usual Frost family, though. The focus of this conference is much different, though the underlying philosophy of caring and careful attention to the work is intact. But the group is reserved (so far), and I don't know if we'll laugh with each other in the same way that I'm used to. No matter; I'm here to learn. And I am learning. What's interesting is there are Dartmouth students who were recommended to the conference. They are young and earnest, at least that is true of the two who are in my group. Their work reflects their level of life and writing experience in a different way, which is adding a flavor to the work under consideration that is not often present in the workshops I am usually a part of. Instead of focusing on the past (of which they have not nearly as many years as the rest of us), they are focusing on subject matter that is particular to them at this point in their lives, things like failed relationships. Which, to be honest, is sometimes the subject matter that older folks write about as well, but the direction that the work takes is different. Their vocabulary is "trying to be poetic" and the poems are evasive in a way I recognize so well from my youthful attempts. It's hard to be vulnerable and honest in work that you are talking about with strangers! Their perspective is rooted in more academic terms, too, which is interesting to me as a teacher of creative writing-- I see what my students might look and sound like, if they keep up their interest in writing after high school.  At any rate, the conference is a good diversion for me this week, while G is still cooped up. 

On a practical level, I wish it would stop raining. Yes, I don't feel called to go outside, true, but gee whiz. Twenty roads are still closed in Lyndon alone. Roads in Lyman are washed out or have developed sinkholes. Enough already-- the area is not able to sustain, both literally and emotionally. We need a warm, dry week so badly.

I hope you have a good day. I feel a bit lighter, knowing G went through surgery and general anaesthesia fine. We have more to work through, but God willing, we are finally headed in the right direction. 

Take care,

C